Just⌠WHEW! As we shift from summerâs on-the-go intensity to the calmer, more introspective winter months, letâs pause and take a cleansing breath, shall we? đđđ
Change is in the air, and weâre in that blurry space between summer and fall. During this time of flux, you might experience Mamma Earthâs seasonal changes in yourself: dry leaves = dry skin; windy weather = gassy belly; swirling, erratic leaves = scattered mind; naked trees = raw, exposed feelings. âĄPOW!âĄ
Repeat after me: Grounding. Warming. Routine. Release. Thatâs my autumn mantra for vata-balancing goodness.Â
âGrounding: Rather than maintaining the activity of summer, nowâs the time to slow down and adopt different rhythms. Savor simplicity and cultivate balance in the stillness. Stabilize your mind with rhythmic breathing and leave space in your day to rest and reflect. During your yoga practice, try less postures with longer breaths.Â
âWarming: Introduce vata-based nutrition: root vegetables like carrots, potatoes and beets; soups and broths; and late-summer harvested apples and pears. Lube your skin with oil massages, take a bath with ginger powder and use warming essential oils like geranium, mahanarayan and vetiver.
âRoutine: Make conscious effort to stick to your daily routines of sleep, work, exercise and eating. Routine is always a good idea, especially during fall when erratic vata can knock you off balance.Â
âRelease: Autumn invites time to pause and reflect on what is holding you back from reaching your lifeâs true dharma and purpose. Just as the leaves eventually release and let go this season, YOU TOO can release what is not serving you. â¤ď¸
Cleanse Your Liver with Ease this Fall
 ~give your liver some lovinâ~
Ode to the liver! As our bodyâs primary detoxifying powerhouse, we want to keep our livers in tip-top shape. đşEnter a liver detox!đş Before vata can take over this fall, help your body get rid of old pitta heat accumulated over the summer. A simple liver detox will help you restore and enhance liver functionality, boost your immune system and prep your body for the winter ahead.Â
â¨Limit caffeine, alcohol, sugar and dairy and swap excess fats and proteins for more vegetables, bitter greens, aloe vera, rice and berries.Â
â¨Eat lighter, smaller portions (broth-based soups are great!) Steam or lightly saute your foods.
â¨Prioritize your Zzzzzâs. Liver detoxification happens during sleeping hours.
â¨Your liver is a hotpot of emotions. Quiet your mind with meditation, pranayama and yoga.
â¨Add herbs that support a liver cleanse: bhumyamalaki, kutki, guduchi, amla + turmeric.
â¨Cleanse your colon. Yes, really. Your colon is home to the vata dosha and a therapeutic enema (basti) can be a powerful step in cleansing toxins and buildup.
â¨If youâre seeking a more in-depth, traditional Ayurvedic cleanse this fall, get started with Katieâs kitchari recipe!